7 Quick Takes (Volume 6)

Here I go again, joining Jen on her Friday thing.

I'm liking this.

(If you are not, let me know.)

Here's my 7 Quick Takes-Valentine Edition:

-1-

I had a wonderful St Valentine party for my kiddos,

We had 19 kiddos here total.

I am such a Martha though,

that I rarely think about my camera

when I'm hosting.

Kids played,

made Valentine bags,

went sledding down our big hill in our backyard,

had a treasurehunt,

exchanged Valentines &

ate lots of sugar.

(I had veggies and dip here too)

Here's Sweetie Pie eating leftover cupcakes, er, uh,

should I say,

eating the frosting from leftover cupcakes?

-2-

One Valentine E-mail picture sent to my hubby


-3-
A Valentine card from my hubby.
I only ask for a card with words written inside to me.
(I bought the flowers for the party)
Roses are so overrated.
I'll take those grocery store fresh flowers any day over roses.
We are going out tonight.
Our Parish is hosting a "Cana Dinner"
in honor of married couples.
We will get the opportunity to renew our vows!!
I love dating my husband.

-4-
I did get a picture of the big kiddos searching for clues on their treasure hunt.
This year, I split the group in two:
Ages 6 and under, inside treasure hunt.
Ages 7-15, outside treasure hunt.
The outside hunt took them from our home to the end of the road,
back to our home, into the backyard and back down to the other end of the road,
and back to our garage, into our van for their treasure!
(Chocolate candy heart boxes)

-5-
Heart garland

-6-
Balloons galore!



-7-
Let's talk Commercialism.
I know they have Valentines out already on Christmas Eve.
I know they already have Easter Candy out and it's not even Lent yet.
It does kind of bug me how the stores make the holiday.
They market it, they make you want to buy everything.
Everything you don't need.
My husband's partner doesn't believe in celebrating Valentine's day,
(not sure what his wife thinks...)
because of all of that "stuff".
Well, I get that.
But, I also get that every holiday has a religious beginning.
Even on the 4th of July, we celebrate our religious freedoms we have in America.
"God Bless America!"
It's what we do with it that counts.
I gave my husband hearts every day that he had to find, each having a love note on.
Cost: Zero.
Should we be doing this stuff every day of the year,
not just on Valentine's day?
Yes.
But will we?
No.
We might do it sometimes.
We should do it sometimes.
But
This month of Love
becomes a special time to go that extra mile.
Do extra things for the ones we love,
because we love.
That's what love is, right?
Doing things because we love,
out of love.
Why not be a kid again,
make Valentines,
have a party
and
Love those you love
just a little extra.


"The soul who loves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in the mood for singing."
-St John of the Cross